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Rabbi Fred Guttman and the Rev. Mark Sills — longtime community servants and advocates for cross-cultural understanding — are this year’s recipients of the 2009 Brotherhood/Sisterhood Citation Award.

“They give true meaning to this year’s dinner theme of ‘Living the Golden Rule,’” said Susan Feit, executive director of the National Conference for Community and Justice of the Piedmont Triad. The group will present the award during a special dinner on Nov. 5.

Guttman developed a program that sends Jewish high school students to Europe to tour former concentration camps. He holds classes on Judaism, attracting large numbers of non-Jews, and speaks out on social justice issues, such as the conflict and humanitarian crisis in Darfur.

When Guilford College held a special candlelight vigil for Quaker Tom Fox, who was kidnapped in Baghdad with three peace activists documenting human rights abuses against Iraqis in 2005, Guttman was part of the larger faith community who took part.

Sills has struggled recently to financially keep afloat his vision, the FaithAction International House, which works to build community and reduce tensions. The nonprofit sponsors a Girl Scout troop that caters to immigrants and refugee girls from Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe and Latin America, as well as a number of American girls.

The nonprofit also provides an immigrant assistance center where refugees or immigrants with problems can seek guidance and support in solving their problems. Sills is also known for bringing the faith communities together on a number of social justice issues, including abuses against undocumented workers.

Contact Nancy McLaughlin at 373-7049 or nancy.mclaughlin@news-record.com